Vintage Yngve Ekström furniture embodies the beauty and simplicity of the Scandinavian modern style. The Swedish designer, architect and woodworker created clean-lined hardwood pieces with sophisticated details and flourishes. He was known for his comfortable lounge chair designs as well as chic cocktail tables and handsome highboard cabinets.
Ekström was born in 1913 in Småland, home to Sweden’s oldest furniture factory, Hagafors Stolfabrik. After his father died, he began working at the factory. In 1945, Ekström and his older brother, Jerker Ekström, opened ESE Möbler, a furniture company headquartered in their hometown. In 1952, they received acclaim for their innovative Thema chair. The laminated veneer chair was packed flat for easy shipping so customers could assemble it at home. Ekström followed it with the 1955 Arka chair for the furniture manufacturer Stolab. A spindle backrest and spacious curved seat gave the chair comfort and style.
Ekström’s most popular design was the 1956 Lamino chair. Still in production, the minimalist wooden-frame chair features a sinuous and inviting profile with a high backrest. Looking back at his well-loved design, Ekström said: “To have designed one good chair might not be a bad life’s work.”
After Ekström’s brother left the company, he changed the name to Swedese. Ekström sold Swedese in 1974, but continued to design for it until he died in 1988. His furniture is in museum collections around the world, including the National Museum in Stockholm, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and the Victoria & Albert museum in London. In 1999, Swedish design magazine Sköna Hems named the Lamino chair the “20th-Century’s Best Swedish Furniture Design.”
Swedese, which still occupies its original building in Småland, partnered with artist Kustaa Saksi in 2017 to update the iconic Lamino chair.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Yngve Ekström seating, tables, storage cabinets and more.
$1,800
H 25 in W 25.5 in D 16.75 in
1970s Yngve Ekstrom for Kallemo of Sweden Teak Thea Bar / Serving Cart
By Källemo, Yngve Ekström
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Thea bar and serving cart, designed by Yngve Ekstrom for Kallemo in the 1950s. This particular example dates back to the 1970s. Crafted from teak, the cart reflects Ekstrom...
Metal
$1,800
H 25.5 in W 27.75 in D 17.5 in
1970s Grete Jalk Teak Wood Bar / Serving Cart with Expanding Top
By Grete Jalk
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a bar cart designed by Grete Jalk. This particular example was produced in Denmark and dates back to the 1970s. Crafted from solid teak, the cart features a top that expands,...
Teak
Børge Mogensen Teak Serving Cart, Model 5370
By Fredericia, Børge Mogensen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful serving cart by Børge Mogensen, model no. 5370 for Fredericia Furniture, in teak with black metal trays, a separate metal tray and a cutting board are included.
Metal
Swedish Modern Teak Bar Cart Attributed To Erik Gustafsson
By Erik Gustafssons
Located in Baltimore, MD
A Classic midcentury bar cart attributed to Erik Gustafsson, crafted in teak solids and veneers. The simple and functional cart often referred to as a ...
Teak
$2,353
H 25.6 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Extendable, two-tier Danish teak trolley/serving cart, designed by Kurt Østervig
By Kurt Østervig, Jason Møbler
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Superb Scandinavian serving trolley offering a large surface area thanks to a top that opens on both sides, revealing a black linoleum surface and a lower shelf. Beautifully crafted ...
Formica, Teak
Danish Modern Drop Leaf Teak Serving Cart
Located in Kansas City, MO
Versatile and unique Danish bar cart or serving cart with teak drop leaves and black laminate center surface. When you raise the leaves the top swivels to support the leaves. A very ...
Brass
$750
H 25 in W 39.5 in D 16.75 in
Classic Teak Mid Century Trolley / Bar Cart by Yngve Ekstrom Sweden Ca' 1960s
By Yngve Ekström
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An unusual Mid Century Scandinavian modern bar cart / drinks trolley designed by Yngve Ekstrom in Sweden in the 1960s. Made of teak with sculptural handles on either side. The cleve...
Teak
$1,480
H 22.65 in W 23 in D 16 in
Teak Reversible Tray Top Bar Cart or Tea Trolley by Sika Mobler, Denmark
By Sika Møbler
Located in Buffalo, NY
Danish modern teak bar cart or tea trolley has awesome lines! It features trapezoidal shaped sides, arced upper braces that support the two side’s tray top, a lower floating shelf held by brass pins, and Classic brass skinny 50s casters. The removable tray top has light grey laminate on one side (perfect for mixing your drinks without worry) and teak on the other - use it also to serve your guests. The arced struts that support it are notched (see close up) so that the tray stays in position and can't slide off. Perfect also as a printer cart...
Brass
Hans J. Wegner Teak Bar Cart by Andreas Tuck, Denmark 1960s
By Hans J. Wegner, Andreas Tuck
Located in Wien, AT
Serving Trolley / Bar Cart by Hans Wegner in a rare combination of teak and oak wood. The trolley was manufactured by Andreas Tuck. It beautifully pairs a solid oak frame with rich t...
Oak, Teak
$694
H 26.38 in W 27.56 in D 16.93 in
Teak Serving Cart With 2 Drawers, Scandinavian Modern, Sweden, 1950's
By NK (Nordiska Kompaniet)
Located in Cork, IE
With its clean lines and soft, organic curves, this serving trolley showcases the principles of Scandinavian Modern design, emphasizing functionalism, minimalism, and high-quality cr...
Formica, Teak
Danish Teak Serving Cart
Located in Highland, IN
With two surfaces, casters, and handles to steer it, this beautiful teak cart is perfect as a serving or bar cart. The sculpted sides with flowing lines and integrated handles offer ...
Teak
Lane "Accent" Serving Cart
By Lane Furniture
Located in Highland, IN
This lovely little Lane serving cart from their "Accent" line is modest in size, but features many refined details. From the exposed through-tennon j...
Walnut
John Widdicomb Bar Cart / Server with Expanding Top
By John Widdicomb
Located in Highland, IN
This striking John Widdicomb bar cart or serving cart has several great features: a terrific graphic quality with a dynamic composition of clear and...
Walnut
John Kapel Server by Glenn of California
By Glenn of California, John Kapel
Located in Highland, IN
This beautiful and highly functional design by John Kapel has a walnut case with a white mica expanding top and terrific details such as the sculpted handle and conical pulls. It has...
Formica, Walnut
Rosewood Sewing Table or Cart by Ejvind Johansson
Located in Highland, IN
This little sewing table by Ejvind Johansson for FDB Møbler is handsome and useful. Clad in beautiful rosewood, the top opens to a storage compartment and the wicker basket slides ou...
Brass
Rolf Hesland Rosewood Rolling Record/ Magazine Caddy by Bruksbo
By Rolf Hesland, Bruksbo
Located in Highland, IN
A handsome and useful piece, this caddy is perfect for storing magazines or record albums. This is the double wide version and is clad in beautiful Brazilian rosewood. Made in Norway...
Plastic, Rosewood
